NBA Player News

Sacre, drafted No. 60 overall, is a true 7-footer who could serve as cheap frontline depth for the Lakers should they keep him. Jim Buss previously said that he liked Sacre’s chances of making the team, but as is usually the case for second round selections, Sacre will have to make a big impression in training camp to stick in Los Angeles.

James will not be available for Sunday’s game after initially being listed as questionable. His absence won’t affect fantasy basketball, and there may have been even fewer minutes available to the second-year guard due to Austin Reaves’ potential return from a strained calf.

White and Vučević were held out of Saturday’s win over the Heat, with the former still having his workload managed due to a lingering calf injury. Both will be back in the starting lineup for Sunday’s rematch. While Vučević’s situation is straightforward, as his return pushes Patrick Williams to the bench, White’s is not. Kevin Huerter (back) is questionable; if he can play, either Red Velvet or Ayo Dosunmu will be replaced by White.

Smith will miss both ends of the Bulls’ road back-to-back in Miami as he continues to deal with right calf tightness. With Nikola Vučević (rest) also out on Saturday, Patrick Williams moved into the starting lineup and played 34 minutes. Vooch is not on the injury report for Sunday, so Williams will return to the bench.

Reath recently underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot to address a stress fracture, so he will not help the Hawks address their post depth woes. The draft capital is the “prize” for the Hawks in this transaction. The future second-round picks are a 2027 pick from Portland and a 2030 pick via New York.

From a percentage standpoint, Krejčí has been one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters this season, making 42.3 percent of his 5.2 attempts per game. And he’s had some big moments, most notably a November 10 win over the Clippers in which he hit eight three-pointers. That said, Krejčí’s move to Portland does not move the needle in fantasy basketball. Also, the trade calls into question the Trail Blazers’ plans for Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko, two two-way contract players approaching their respective 50-game limits. Portland may not be done wheeling and dealing before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Huerter, who started and played 22 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Heat, is dealing with lower back spasms. With Coby White removed from the injury report after not playing on Saturday, he’ll be in the starting lineup regardless of Huerter’s availability.

Love is on track to return after a two-game absence, providing the Jazz with additional frontcourt depth. However, with starting center Jusuf Nurkić (illness) also being upgraded to probable, Love has a limited fantasy ceiling for Utah’s final game of Week 15.

Initially questionable after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Nets, Nurkić is on track to play Sunday evening. His return would push Kyle Filipowski to the bench, limiting the young 7-footer’s playing time. Those who are rostering Filipowski should hold onto him, as he should be a more valuable option after the trade deadline.

George will miss Sunday’s game after spraining his left ankle during the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Nets. While Isaiah Collier is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, rookie Walter Clayton’s playing time should increase. Collier is the superior streaming option of the two.

While Chicago received two second-round picks as a “reward” for taking on Dario Šarić to help complete the trade, the team had to send a player elsewhere per league rules. That player is Miller, who’s on a two-way deal and appeared in 11 NBA games during his two seasons in Chicago. To free up a two-way slot for Miller, the Cavaliers are waiving Luke Travers.